Homemade Mister for Cuttings

Most shrubs and perennials can be propagated by cuttings in a misting house.

Propagating plants by cuttings produces plants that are genetically identical to the parent plant. It is generally the only way to grow specific cultivars "true-to-type." Making a cutting grow roots may sound like a miracle to the uninitiated, but it is quite practical when armed with the proper tools. A misting house is the perfect environment to stimulate root growth on cuttings from a wide variety of plants and can be made from items found around the home.

Right Environment for Cuttings

Taking cuttings, a form of asexual plant propagation, involves removing a stem or shoot of a plant and encouraging roots to grow from it to form a new plant. Adequate warmth and humidity are the two main factors that stimulate root growth and a homemade mister must be designed to provide for both of these conditions. Like a miniature greenhouse, misters trap heat and hold moisture in the air, preventing the cutting from drying out before roots have formed to supply water to the new plant.

Body of the Mister

Almost any clear, airtight container can be used to create a mister -- even a glass bottle or plastic bag can be used. Building a small wooden box with an old glass window for a lid is one common way of building a homemade mister. Plexiglass or clear plastic sheeting can also be used as a lid in place of glass. One of the simplest and most effective ways to make a homemade mister is cut the top off of a 2-liter plastic bottle and use it like a greenhouse dome over cuttings inside a 1-gallon plastic pot. For best results, position the mister in partial shade or cover it with shade cloth.

Rooting Medium

Using a lightweight rooting medium inside the mister allows the tiny rootlets to emerge from the base of the cutting with ease. Perlite or vermiculite are commonly used for this reason and are should be sterilized to minimize exposure to the fungal pathogens that can easily get out of hand in the warm, moist environment of a misting house. Sterilized potting soil or sand can also be used with good results, as they also have good water- and air-holding capacity.

Misting Hardware

You can use a handheld misting bottle to spritz the leaves of the cuttings on a daily basis to prevent them from drying out. Mister nozzles that attach to drip irrigation tubing and can even be controlled by a timer can be used to make a misting house similar to those used in commercial nurseries. Heating mats greatly improve the speed of rooting and make it possible to propagate difficult species. Placed under the misting house, they include a thermostat to keep the temperature at the optimum level.

About the Author

Brian Barth works in the fields of landscape architecture and urban planning and is co-founder of Urban Agriculture, Inc., an Atlanta-based design firm where he is head environmental consultant. He holds a Master's Degree in Environmental Planning and Design from the University of Georgia. His blog, Food for Thought, explores the themes of land use, urban agriculture, and environmental literacy.